10 ways the shutdown is affecting Bay Area life

The impact of the federal government’s partial shutdown — so far — is limited. Essential services such as the military continue to operate, and benefit programs like Social Security and Medicare remain intact. But there are inconveniences, and these inconveniences could swell into real problems if the feud continues over Republicans’ bid to defeat Obamacare. Here are a few things causing headaches now:

<b>1.) Local parks closed: </b>The Bay Area is blessed with many historic and wilderness sites run by the National Park Service, including the Presidio, Alcatraz and Muir Woods. But the government shutdown has put these places off-limits, as well as others within Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore. less

<b>1.) Local parks closed: </b>The Bay Area is blessed with many historic and wilderness sites run by the National Park Service, including the Presidio, Alcatraz and Muir Woods. But the government shutdown has ... more

Photo: Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle

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<b>2.) Federal Web sites dark:</b> Don’t expect to get info from popular Web sites such as www.census.gov, www.nasa.gov or the Library of Congress. And don’t expect to get your regular Twitter feed from @uscapital, @Tahoe_NF or @AsteroidWatch. Several government sites and Twitter accounts have been turned off or suspended. Even the Nationals Zoo’s Panda Cam (screenshotted here) is dark. less

<b>2.) Federal Web sites dark:</b> Don’t expect to get info from popular Web sites such as www.census.gov, www.nasa.gov or the Library of Congress. And don’t expect to get your regular Twitter feed from ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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<b>3.) College loans face potential delays: </b>Students will still receive Pell Grants and federal loans, and help centers will remain open for aid applications, but delays are possible. The Department of Education is one of the hardest hit by the government shutdown — more than 90% of its employees are furloughed. less

<b>3.) College loans face potential delays: </b>Students will still receive Pell Grants and federal loans, and help centers will remain open for aid applications, but delays are possible. The Department of ... more

Photo: Paul Chinn / The Chronicle

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<b>4.) Food-safety inspections suspended: </b>The Food and Drug Administration is scaling back routine inspections of food-manufacturing plants, meaning mass-produced food coming into the Bay Area may not get the oversight it normally does. less

<b>4.) Food-safety inspections suspended: </b>The Food and Drug Administration is scaling back routine inspections of food-manufacturing plants, meaning mass-produced food coming into the Bay Area may not get ... more

Photo: Toby Talbot / AP

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<b>5.) Earthquake info lapses: </b>The U.S. Geological Survey is keeping its earthquake center in Boulder, Colo. open to monitor seismic activity. But that doesn’t do much for California offices, such as the one in Menlo Park. Employees on the Peninsula have been sent home. Should there be a quake, getting pertinent info out to the public could be tough, though federal officials have pledged to bring workers back if necessary. less

<b>5.) Earthquake info lapses: </b>The U.S. Geological Survey is keeping its earthquake center in Boulder, Colo. open to monitor seismic activity. But that doesn’t do much for California offices, such as the ... more

Photo: Shaun Walker / Eureka Times-Standard/AP

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<b>6.) Sierra parks off-limits: </b>Think twice about taking that camping trip to Yosemite National Park or the Sierra National Forest. Federal wildlands in the Sierra Nevada are mostly closed, meaning developed campgrounds, visitor centers and other accommodations are roped off. With so much mountainous acreage, though, the adventurous traveler will surely find a trail or a river to enjoy. less

<b>6.) Sierra parks off-limits: </b>Think twice about taking that camping trip to Yosemite National Park or the Sierra National Forest. Federal wildlands in the Sierra Nevada are mostly closed, meaning ... more

Photo: CRAIG KOHLRUSS / McClatchy-Tribune News Service

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<b>7.) Food subsidies threatened: </b>Federal grants for food and nutrition education, particularly for new moms and kids, could get hung up. While local agencies receiving these grants are likely to have plenty of money for a few weeks, the federal Women, Infants and Children program is on the government’s “non-essential service” list and funding for the local food agencies could become sparse. less

<b>7.) Food subsidies threatened: </b>Federal grants for food and nutrition education, particularly for new moms and kids, could get hung up. While local agencies receiving these grants are likely to have ... more

Photo: Steven Senne / Associated Press

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<b>8.) Flu info limited: </b>Your first warning of a flu outbreak in the Bay Area may come too late. The Centers for Disease Control, which monitors the spread of flu and helps local health-care providers prepare for it, is cutting the staff that investigates the illness. less

<b>8.) Flu info limited: </b>Your first warning of a flu outbreak in the Bay Area may come too late. The Centers for Disease Control, which monitors the spread of flu and helps local health-care providers ... more

Photo: Rogelio V. Solis / Associated Press

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<b>9.) No tax assistance: </b>The IRS is still collecting taxes (note: late returns are due Oct. 15), but tax assistance over the phone and at help centers has been suspended.

<b>9.) No tax assistance: </b>The IRS is still collecting taxes (note: late returns are due Oct. 15), but tax assistance over the phone and at help centers has been suspended.

Photo: Susan Walsh / Associated Press

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<b>10.) Public housing faces threat: </b>The San Francisco Housing Authority, like many public housing agencies, assures those living in subsidized apartments that they won’t have to move out. But funds needed to refurbish rentals and move new people in, which partially come through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, are expected to be reduced. less

<b>10.) Public housing faces threat: </b>The San Francisco Housing Authority, like many public housing agencies, assures those living in subsidized apartments that they won’t have to move out. But funds ... more